“That’s it! Pop I can’t take it any more!” the attractive brunette was huffing and puffing between words as she pleaded with her relentless father.

“Oh. Sigal it is only half a mile to the top. We can’t stop here! It would be giving the win to the mountain!” Ami was tall and strong with youth that refused to leave him throughout his fifty’s and into his Sixtieth year. He looked with love on his daughter, not about to let her give up even after such a killer hike as this.

“Dad! I’m gonna wait for you at the car. I can’t take any more of this!” Sigal threw her arms up in exasperation and started back.

“Okay. Okay. We can take a little break and start back up when you’ve caught your breath. You will like the view at the top I guarantee it! Come on! You know that you like to get to the top of a trail. I won’t let you loose the opportunity.”

Sigal had dealt with this sort of un-killable optimism all her life. She looked at this man that was her father and then looked up the next half mile of torturous trail and felt defeated. “You know one day your gonna meet a trail that you can’t climb.” She grinned.

“When I do, I hope to have the good sense not to ever give up trying to get to it’s top.” And how he said it; you knew that it was meant with all of his heart.

Sigal couldn’t help it. She loved this man of mans that was her father beyond all measure. Suddenly she felt more than just willing to go on for the top but also a desire to push herself there. The optimism was contagious.

The two started back up the hill and made the top in fifteen minutes of happy, if painful, work. The view was gorgeous. A light haze strayed in the early morning air and the sky still held the pinks and velvet of the dazzling sunrise which was just now beginning to burn with the fervor of day.

The trees and little buildings of the valley bellow their feet were picturesque in the mist and glistened freshly. Far in the West a silver glistening could be seen that was the Pacific. Or at least could be imagined to be.

Later at the office: “Hey Sigal!” The Cheerful voice of Sigal’s coworker Lotus chimed as she walked in the door.

“Here I still have half of mine from this morning. It’s a bit cold but your welcome to it. No calls. Were you hiking?” Lotus looked concernedly as Sigal stretched aching muscles.

“Ya. Up in Chevy Chase Canyon. My dad took me up Torture Trail again!” Sigal made a face as she took a sip of the calcium magnesium drink. “Whew, that’s a good brew! Did you make it?” Sigal looked up at her friend, “What’s the matter?”

“Well let’s say I’m happy you’re alive at all! Check out the news.” Lotus pointed to the small TV which had remained unnoticed in the corner till now. She went over to it and turned the volume up. “They’ve been on about it all morning.”

The announcer from the channel 4 news filled the small office with her sincere voice she used for grisly announcements, “… The bodies have been identified by police and names will be released after family members have been informed personally. It looks as if the two men were hiking in the early morning hours up what has been known as ‘Torture Trail’ when they were attacked. Details are sketchy, as the police department has issued no formal statement. We are going now to Jill Froster at the scene. Jill, What are you seeing there?”

A young lady dressed in warm winter wear came onto the screen. Her face was grave but her eyes were clear and detached as an observer not a participant, “The scene isn’t pretty up here in the canyon Jane. The entire trail is cordoned of on the north side. Police are closing the trails on the south end as well in order to preserve any evidence that may be needed. They're not sure what has happened here. It looks as if these two hikers may have stumbled upon some illegal activity at this point here on the trail and that the perpetrators killed them for it. There appears to be some evidence that knives were used to…” The camera switched to footage taken earlier that morning of the two victims.

“Turn it off. That’s gross!” Sigal covered her mouth and nose with the end of her sweater sleeve, “Those news guys just love to push your nose in it man!"

Lotus switched the TV off, “Is that where you were today?” Excitement coming through her voice reminded Sigal why the News could get away with it.